Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint

A few months ago, my good friend Tessa invited me to come to a Girls' Nite Out event she put together for the magazine Focus on the Coast here in Wilmington. This was not a typical night out on the town with the girls... it was better! We were going to DISTRESS and PAINT furniture. We met at a local business called, Budget ReDesign, that specializes in distressing furniture with the key product, Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan.

About Chalk Paint:

Annie Sloan developed her now famous Chalk Paint to answer the need she had for a paint which would have many uses from acting like limewash to looking like old painted furniture and that had a good range of colour that could be extended by the user. This paint is very easy to work with and allows people to be creative as one doesn't get involved with the technicalities of preparation and it also allows you to change your mind without hassle.

Add a little water to it to make it smooth, thicken it up by leaving the lid off if you want to make it thicker, make it into a wash by adding even more water to it. Use flat brushes for a smooth look or bristle brushes for a more textured aged look. Chalk paint is water based and comes in 29 fantastic colors that you can mix and adapt to your project.

 We were told to bring in a piece of furniture that needed to be brought back to life. I brought a little end table that I got from my company who was finished with it after a few photo shoots. It was originally a red table and now had several coats of paint on it, light blue, white, then black. My friend Tessa, also brought in her entry way table that was rustic black and brown.

Wiping down the piece before painting

Tessa painting from the bottom to the top

There are so many great things about Chalk Paint but to me the best part about it is that you don't have to sand it down or prime it before you paint! You can also paint on any surface... metal, wood, or plastic. It's very flexible so you can be creative and change your mind half way through to another color. You can also use this paint outdoors, on your kitchen cabinets or on your walls!

STEP by STEP:

1. Wiped our piece of furniture down

2. Added our first color of paint (that would be seen through after sanding)

3. Added our second color painted on all parts

4. Added dark wax in corners and on edges

5. Rubbed back with fine sand paper 

6. Finished off with a coat of wax 

Here's my finished piece at home.

The entire GNO group at Budget ReDesign

 

To bring a group to Budget ReDesign or buy Chalk Paint you can go to www.budgetredesign.com

Eve's Paint Party

In June this year our sweet little Eve turned seven years-old. She had been asking for over a year to have a paint party where her friends could come and paint with her. So, we invited the very talented Gayle Blackerby (my Mom and Eve's Gigi) to Wilmington to help us paint canvases with some of Eve's family and friends to celebrate turning seven. It was such a special time painting cupcakes on canvas, quesadillas, milkshake stations at the Atrium, downtown Wilmington!

I'm so blessed to share the love of art with my Mom and my little Eve. :)

Eve helped me paint our invitations that I designed and printed at home

Each friend had their own apron, canvas, paint, brushes & water.

The very happy birthday girl, Elizabeth Eve

 

Maggie making progress on the background of her cupcake.

Louise focused on the edges.

Our Milkshake station sign done on watercolor paper

This was a hit!

Thanks for coming everyone!

TO DO: Print at home, paint, cut and round the corners.

The masterpieces are completed!

Thanks Gigi - We love you!

Forgotten Paintings

I am currently rebuilding my website www.abigaillea.com. It hasn't been updated since 2006... sad, I know. I've been busy working for other companies and updating their websites. So now I am taking the time to rebuild and update mine. It should launch in the next few weeks. Many paintings have been painted since 2006 and there are some that never made it on the website... here is the first batch I wanted to share with you.

A few years ago, Wilmington Plastic Surgery commissioned me to do a series of six paintings for their waiting room areas in the Oleander Dr. office. The painting's colors were picked to match the office's interior look and feel. So if you have any Botox done or plastic surgery you will be greeted by my paintings on your way in! These are some of my absolute favorite!

 18x24 Acrylic + Mixed Media

Location: Wilmington Plastic Surgery, Wilmington, NC

 

 Acrylic + Mixed Media

Location: Wilmington Plastic Surgery, Wilmington, NC

Series of Three
3'x3' Acrylic on Canvas

Location: Wilmington Plastic Surgery, Wilmington, NC